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From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 June 1780

To Major General Horatio Gates

Head Quarters Morris Town June 4th 1780

Sir

As the opening of the campaign is fast approaching, and it is time to form a general disposition of the Army with a view to it, it is essential I should know, as soon as possible, what General Officers will be present. For this purpose, I am to request you will inform me, without delay, whether the situation of your private affairs will permit you to take the feild this campaign or not, and if you do take the feild, when we may hope to see you at Camp.1 I am Sir Your most Obedt humble servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, enclosed in GW to the Board of War 5 June, NHi: Gates Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1. Gates replied to GW on 17 June from “Travellers-Rest,” Va.: “Yesterday evening I had the Honor to receive Your Excellencys Letter dated the 4th Inst. from Morris Town—I have for some time expected, That The Congress, or Your Excellency, would inform me where I should be commanded to serve for the ensuing Campaign; the Circumstances of the public, as well as of my Own private Affairs, make it even now very necessary That I should be acquainted, where I am to be employed before I leave Virginia” (ALS, CSmH; ALS, NN; ADfS [two drafts], NHi: Gates Papers). GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed the ALS in CSmH: “no answer necessary.”

Congress subsequently named Gates to command the southern department (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 17:508, and Samuel Huntington to Gates, 13 June, in Smith, Letters of Delegates description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends , 15:312–13; see also Huntington to GW, 15 June).

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 June 1780
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Gates, Horatio
    Date
    4 June 1780

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 June 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-26-02-0206. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 26, 13 May–4 July 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins and Adrina Garbooshian-Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018, pp. 304–305.]

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